One of our favorite family movies is Pixar’s “UP”. I mean, how many movies have everyone sobbing within the first 20 minutes? When we saw Mr. Gustafsson’s house it looked quite familiar to us…And we knew exactly what we had to do when the movie came out on DVD.

We had 30 helium balloons attached to the house. {Of course I actually wanted about 200 when I saw how it looked!}

The ladder in the background is where the projector went. Mr. Cabana has since built a permanent shelf for the projector.

The Candy Bar with “Balloon” Cupcakes.

We have a popcorn trolley that serves up the perfect movie popcorn {we purchase the popcorn in packages at Smart and Final approx. 50 packages for $30}. We serve the popcorn in containers just like at the real movies {also purchased at Smart and Final}. We also serve lemonade or punch in my beverage jars.

Right now we have a red cart that has seen A LOT of use! I would love to replace it with this black one. Someday…

Two full boxes of Tootsie Pops {Smart and Final} fit into the large apothecary jar. Chinese to-go containers are perfect for the candy.

The back side of the house between the lanterns is our movie screen. We can fit approximately 60 movie goers and their cars chairs in our Drive-In.

As someone who LOVES to entertain, what I love about the drive-in nights is that it is a relatively inexpensive way to entertain a lot of people. I purchased the penny candy jars at Target, Popcorn trolley at Costco {$250}. So other than keeping the popcorn, cups and candy stocked {we purchase candy usually only twice during the summer} we are good to go at a moments notice.

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Yesterday was the official first day of summer and it was also my kid’s last day of school. Buddy is now going to be a high school Freshman and Baby Girl will be in the fourth grade.{Don’t even get me started thinking about how fast time is going by with my kids!}

For the majority of my life I have lived according to a school calendar. You know what I mean, September means new school cloths, Christmas (Winter) Break, Easter (Spring) Break… So even though it has been many (many, many!) years since I have been a student, I think I get more just as excited by summer vacation as the kids. The excitement begins when I see the first June bug of the year, which happened a couple of weeks ago (sometimes they do not show up until July). There is something magical when you think of an entire summer and all of the possibilities it holds~ BBQ’s, the 4th of July, pool parties, Movie Nights, beach days… 90 days of fun and relaxation!

For the past five summers, Buddy has been a Jr. Guard at our local beach and this year Baby Girl will be joining him in the program. I grew up spending 7 of my summers in Jr. Guards too and made life long friends. Some of my favorite memories as a child took place at our beach with my “summer friends”. {Now many of our kids are in the program.}

I have to say that I love having my kids home over the summer and I dread them going back to school in September {but since it is the first day of summer vacation, I am not going to think about that!}. I love our lazy days on the beach reading, watching dolphins play and just hanging out with them and our friends.

What do you love about summer and do you have a favorite memory? I would love to hear about it!!!

I LOVE reading your comments!!!! Nothing like writing an entry and hearing crickets!

1. Find the center of the scrapbook paper, dot it with a pencil. On a large paper-cutter, cut paper on an angle using the dot as your guide for the tip of bottom of the flag. Repeat on the other side of paper to create a triangle.

2. Using a hole punch, cut two holes just on the inside edge at the top of the flag.

3. Thread the rope through the holes.

4. For the words “Summer” I used WORD. Jokewood was the font (approx. 200 size). Print one letter per page.

5. Attach computer sheets between the flags using a stapler (You can then re-use the bunting by just removing the letters).

I found the sand buckets at Target for $1 each and the fabulous pinwheels came from Shinoda Design Center and were $4.25 each. The flowers in the buckets have been used in many, many projects {remember the wedding gazebo?}.

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Growing up, my parents only ever took us to the Drive-in to see movies. I saw all of the classics huddled in the back of my Mom’s 1970 Pontiac LeMans with my brother.

I can still hear the sound of the gravel as the car crept to the perfect spot. We would be bundled up in our jammies and have a paper lunch bag full of buttered popcorn and Kool-Aid in our cups. I saw Star Wars, The Goodbye Girl (twice), Blazing Saddles (twice-we howled at the fart scene!), Bad News Bears,Close Encounters of the Third Kind…Remember, I am a child of the ’70s!

If we were really good, between the double feature, we would get to walk to the concession stand (I always chose the ice cream Bon Bons!).

It was not until the early 1990’s that I went to a walk-in with my folks for the first time. {I had gone with friends many times before}. Mr. Cabana and I insisted they join us to go see “Twister” in the theater. {The surround sound in that movie was amazing. The story? Not so much!}

The drive-in was not only a treasured past time for my family, but it was also an indicator if we were almost home. Our local drive-in was just off the off ramp of the 405 Freeway in Fountain Valley. As a kid I really never knew how far something was, but I knew as soon as I could see a movie playing at the drive-in, I was almost home. It was a wonderful landmark of my childhood and I was heartbroken when it closed and a hospital was built on the land.

We would talk nostalgically about that old drive-in, especially once we had Buddy. Thinking how great it would have been to take the baby with us to see a movie instead of waiting forever for it to come out on disc (yes Laser Disc, not DVD!).

About 7 years ago, Mr. Cabana had a BRILLIANT idea. We bought a projector that we could hook-up to a DVD player. If you remembered from my early posts about my small (but mighty!) house, I mentioned that we have a large yard {by HB standards}. At the back of our house we have a large wall that is just the perfect movie screen. Ta Da!!!! Our own Drive-In Movie Nights were born!

We have had an annual Memorial Drive-In Movie Night for many years now. It is how we “Stay-cationers” enjoy the weekend and spring into summer.

The kids always vote on the movie we are going to “Feature”. We have played movies like “The Sandlot”, “Cars”, “Up” and this years choice, “Lilo and Stich“.

“Welcome Theater Goers!”

Just waiting for the yummy appetizers and desserts that friends will be bringing!

The concession stand

Baby Girl’s artwork. Her Brownie troop used some of their cookie money to take an art class with Timree in Newport Beach CA.

Everyone brings a blanket and chair to watch the movie.

During the summer you will more often than not, find us with friends in the backyard enjoying movies. So if you happen to be in Surf City this summer, stop by the ol’ Drive-In at Butterscotch Lady’s house. Bring a chair and blanket and we’ll serve piping hot popcorn and candy!

{We’ll be wearing jammies!}

Until next time,

Butterscotch Lady

PS. Congratulations to Candy Thayer!!!

She commented on my last post and will be receiving a sweet gift as a “Thank you” for my Blog having 350 followers!

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About Butterscotch Lady

Hi! I am Wendy and welcome to Butterscotch Lady where I will share with you my love of fabulous and inexpensive home décor, projects and entertaining. I also work with clients by creating welcoming interiors, outdoor rooms and parties. I live in Huntingtobn Beach, CA with my husband and two kids.

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